LIGNET: Growing Spy Scandal Threatens US-German Intel Ties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel waves to supporters at a campaign event on July 19. (MARCUS BRANDT/AFP/Getty Images)

The government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is taking steps to scale back cooperation with the U.S. National Security Agency, hoping to distance itself from a growing scandal over electronic surveillance of German citizens and reduce its political vulnerability ahead of September elections.

The government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is taking steps to scale back cooperation with the U.S. National Security Agency, hoping to distance itself from a growing scandal over electronic surveillance of German citizens and reduce its political vulnerability ahead...